CHRISTMAS IN EDGARTOWN PLANNINGis underway for our annual St. Andrew’s Open House on Saturday, December 14! We have four willing leaders ready to open our Parish Hall doors for an open house, from 10 am—2pm, and COULD REALLY USE SOME VOUNTEERS TO BRING BAKED GOODS (Christmas cookies could be good), SOME CHEESE AND CRACKERS PLATTERS, and FRUIT PLATES. Sign up sheets are in the back of the church—and feel free to come on down and be with us!
ADVENT MEDITATION BOOKLETS ARE IN! A Way to the Manger is the title of the booklet of Devotions for Advent AND for Christmas. Written by a diverse group of Episcopal authors, A Way to the Manger explores Christ’s birth as recounted in the Gospel of Luke through the lens of the Way of Love: the seven practices of turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go and rest. With daily devotions of personal stories, modern examples, art, and invitations to prayer and journaling, the authors challenge you to discover and incorporate these practices into your own life. (If you can spare it, these cost $4.00 each, so please consider leaving us a gift in the collection box…and if not, no worries!)
HOUSES OF GRACE NEEDS YOUR HELP! St Andrew’s Church, along with The Federated Church and Good Shepherd Parish Center, are once again serving as host sites for our island winter shelter program that runs from January 1 through March 31. Since we need to fill five adult shifts each night, WE NEED NEW VOLUNTEERS EVERY YEAR! Please consider whether you’d like to join us in helping our unhoused island neighbors during the coldest winter months—and make sure to attend the MANDATORY (to new volunteers) ORIENTATION SESSION, at 7:00 pm, at the Good Shepherd Parish Center, Oak Bluffs, on Monday, December 9.
PLEASE BRING YOUR CANS TO CHURCH! It’s time to help out our island friends and neighbors who are going through some tough times. Please try to remember to bring something with you when you come to church—non-perishable items that haven’t expired. Please place your blessings in the baskets when you enter the church or in the green plastic tub in the Parish House hallway. Questions? Would like to volunteer? Please email Liz and Bob Huss at boblizhuss@gmail.com —and thanks for your caring hearts!
CENTERING PRAYERis a classic, wise and time-proven way of being drawn into a relationship with God. Participants learn to develop an appreciation of the present moment, and let go of attachments that tend to encumber us. Instead of trying to “do it all ourselves,” participants learn to let go and let God guide them. WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY? MEETS TUESDAYS AT GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH CENTER, OAK BLUFFS, FROM 2-3 PM. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
HOMELESSNESS ON MV is the topic of a panel discussion and presentation at the West Tisbury Public Library on Saturday, December 7, at 1:00 pm, featuring Karen Tewhey, Dukes County Associate Commissioner for Homelessness Prevention; Rebecca Jamieson, Director of the Daytime Warming Center in Oak Bluffs; and three leaders of the Houses of Grace Overnight Winter Shelter Program. Refreshments will be served.
THE NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD CONVENTION,will meet Tuesday, December 3, at 11 am, at the United Methodist Church of MV, Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs. The program is “The Minnesingers”, led by Abigail Chandler, Director. nd spread the word for others to bring a bag lunch and a friend. All are welcome!
YOU KNOW ST ANDREW’S HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE? Poli Wilson has offered to help us keep it up to speed with announcements and events, but we NEED YOU TO LIKE US on Facebook, and send us your photos and news of St Andrew’s life…questions? Please speak with Heather Anne in the office, and email her your pics, at office@standrewsmv.org. (By the way, just a few positive comments about our worship can have a real effect on seeing some new faces—so give it a try!)
THE CHURCH OFFICE has temporarily relocated across the street into the Parish House Library. The temporary phone number is 508-627-7843. (Father Chip is still in the church building; only the secretary’s office has moved).
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